Rules: Pairs

The Dress Code is relaxed, except that footwear must be proprietary bowling shoes or sandals.

The number of ends to be played in each game will be as follows: 2 Bowl Pairs = 10 ends.

2 bowls per player in 2 Bowl Pairs.

2 dead ends are allowed per team per match; the 3rd and any subsequent dead ends will be 3 shots away and the end will count except for the last end of a match where it will be 3 shots away and the end replayed.

Players may visit the head at any time.

Players must indicate both verbally and by raising their arm, to notify all players on their mat and those on neighbouring mats, whenever they intend to play a running bowl. This is to ensure everyone’s safety.

Players should play in adherence with the SMPT Code of Conduct. Suspected collusion or other unsporting behaviour may result in immediate expulsion from the competition, and may affect acceptance in future SMPT events.

Any disputes must be raised with the Competition Organisers at the time. In this, and in all other matters, the Competition Organisers' decision is final and binding.

Both teams are responsible for keeping their own scorecards and ensuring that both scorecards are the same.

Scorecards must be signed by both teams at the end of a game.

Measuring may be done by players, umpires or the Competition Organisers.

In the Group Stages 3 points will be awarded for a win and 1 point for a draw.

Group positions will be decided by:

Points

Relative head to head results (results against those tied on the same points)

Total shot difference

Shots for

If all the above are equal a 3 end play-off will determine the positions. See 'Tie-break Rules' below.

A team who for whatever reason misses one group game, will still be allowed to continue in the event. The opponents in the missed game will be awarded with the win, 3 points and 1 shot for each of the scheduled number of ends for games at the event e.g. 10 end pairs games would be a 10 v 0 win.

A team who for whatever reason misses two or more group games will be withdrawn from the event. All teams in the group will be awarded with the win, 3 points and 1 shot for each of the scheduled number of ends for games at the event e.g. 10 end pairs would be a 10 v 0 win. Any results recorded against the withdrawn team prior to withdrawal will not be counted.

Tie-break Rules

The SMPT’s best of 3 end tie-break will be used in Knockout rounds to decide which team progresses when a game finishes as a draw. It will also be used to determine the positions in a group if teams finish equal on all of the following: points, relative head to head results (results against those tied on the same points), total shot difference and shots for.

1 bowl per player.

Toss to start – winner has the choice of taking the jack on 1st & 3rd ends, or 2nd end.

Closest bowl to the jack wins the end.

First team to win 2 ends wins the match.

Touchers are not marked. Any bowl entering the ditch area will be removed.

Each team may cause one dead end in the tie-break without penalty; the end to be replayed. A team causing a 2nd dead end will automatically lose that end.

A tied end will count as 0.5 ends to each team.

If, after 3 ends the score is 1.5 ends each, a one end sudden death play-off will take place. Toss to start.

Useful Information

Venue

Hotels

European Open: SMPT returns to Belgium in 2019

The Short Mat Players Tour is delighted to confirm its return to Belgium next season for the launch of a new event, the European Open.
Staged in Herentals, which proved to be a popular Tour destination from 2012-2015, the European Open will replace the Welsh Grand Prix as the second event in the Pairs Order Of Merit for 2018-19.
Played on the weekend of the 9th and 10th of March 2019, the European Open will be a 2-bowl pairs competition, with teams competing in groups of eight, before qualifying for either the Cup or Plate knockouts on day two.
With demand for SMPT events to be run in a growing number of countries, the European Open will have the flexibility to be moved to different locations in subsequent years.
Entries to the European Open will go live on Monday 1st October 2018 at 6pm.
For full details visit out dedicated tournament page.

Enter offline for the European Open

The recommended method to secure your entry into SMPT events is to enter online and pay through
Paypal, however entry forms can be downloaded and sent by post with a cheque included. Any entry
forms submitted without a cheque for the full price of entry will be void.